Editor,
Everyone has been voicing their opinion about the ILP. Just the other day I went to buy eggs and learnt that eggs coming from Assam were delayed in reaching the market because of the road blockades in the wake of the ILP demand. Shortage of any commodity leads to price rise. In fact the prices of all the basic commodities like rice, sugar, oil etc have gone up. Meghalaya is the most expensive place to live in now. Hence while politicians, pressure groups, bureaucrats etc debate about the ILP it is the commoner that suffers.
Hence it is the common persons who will have to speak up. Can we go on having blockades every day? Can the prices of essential commodities be allowed to spiral uncontrolled? Can you be thrown a petrol bomb while trying to make an honest living? Can goons and thugs go about freeloading in restaurants in the name of ILP? Why is the polite society silent on all these issues?
Yours etc.,
A common sufferer
(Name withheld on request)
The People
Editor,
We wonder why there is this stalemate between the Government and the NGO’s over the issue of Influx. One says we want this and the other says we need that. But why can’t they understand that the people don’t want either. The people want security in their own lands without hampering growth and development. They want a way to earn without being harassed by the higher ups. They want safety first. They want a Government that would give them ample opportunities to grow and not one that sits on it’s haunches doing nothing except cashing in on their countless cheques. They want people who fight for the people, to fight first for rights that matter to them without hampering their daily lives. They want justice served to them but not at their own cause. They want to live a life where they are not afraid of moving up and down or limited by a bandh or an agitation.
They want social meetings and gatherings to be civilized and not marred by shenanigans and pointless shouting. What people want at this hour is a solution to this long drawn out problem. But not a solution that is forced on us, nor a solution that is chosen for us by a select few! What we want is a solution that would give us the security and safety that we so desire as indigenous tribes but in saying so what we get should not be used to harass us. What we are asking for is security and peace. What we want is an end to needless fights and banter. What we want is development and equal opportunity. We want an end to racism and communalism… We want an understanding.
Yours etc.,
Oliver Lyngdoh,
Via email
Mary Kom’s comments
Editor,
The caption of the story on what Mary Kom has said about Meghalaya is inappropriate. Mary Kom said that “Meghalaya is known for its musical and cultural heritage”. Lajong is of course acknowledged as an ascending soccer giant and should explode within the next 5 years but that is it. Even cultural heritage is being whittled away by events of recent times. Meghalaya is now known better for its intolerance of other societies, for torching of non tribals or their homes, insurgency, students’ unions or NGOs turned extortionists, cheap gimmickry by some politicians, corruption in government machinery – name it and you have it. All in negative shades! The society and individuals have to introspect and not fall prey to the machinations of egocentric politicians and NGOs whose main agenda is not in harmony with the majority of the people. Society must rise up and not be silent on important issues. A platform needs to be set up for the people to voice their feelings without fear of reprisal from any quarter.
Yours etc.,
Nesfield Sangma,
Via email